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THE MONTHLY MUSICIAN
763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com
JUNE 2024
THE SUMMER OFF LOST RHYTHMS
THE REAL COST OF TAKING
Families often welcome the summer as a break from academics and a time to relax, travel, and enjoy free time. Many parents drop their children’s music lessons, saying they will return in a few weeks. Unfortunately, those plans are highly likely to fall through. Taking the summer off from music lessons has a real cost. A majority of well- intentioned parents who say they will be back in the fall actually do not resume lessons, statistics show. Consider my own story. I began my music studies in 1990 with piano lessons. My grandma drove me to each session with my teacher, who worked out of a dank church basement. I wasn’t super-excited about learning to play, but I understood music education had value. Then came my first piano recital, and it did not go well. I remember getting up there, falling apart on stage, and being humiliated and embarrassed. I responded as any kid would: I said, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” My grandma supported me, saying, “Let’s just take some time off.”
I did take some time off. In fact, I took nine years off. The plan was to go back to taking lessons after a couple of months, after I cooled down. Instead, only after I turned 19 and enrolled in college did I resume musical training. The real cost for me of deciding to take some time off? I lost nine years of learning during my most formative stage of life. As a consequence, I paid a handsome price as a college student and felt a constant burden of regret. I had to invest extensive effort throughout college. Finishing a doctoral program took almost 12 years because I had so much catching up to do. I was so far behind my peers that I always felt inadequate and underprepared. I wished I had developed my skills more when I was young, when lessons were relatively affordable. Today, as a parent and a music school owner, I often hear parents say they took piano lessons when they were younger, but quit before long. I have never heard any of these parents say, “That was the best decision in my life.” Instead, they almost always say, “I wish I had continued.” So, before allowing your child to drop out, consider the real cost of taking the summer off. Music education is not a seasonal activity like sports. Many parents who plan to resume their children’s lessons never actually do so. Some find that life gets in the way. Some other activity or obstacle comes up and they take the path of least resistance. Others try to reenroll and find their slot has been taken. MnSOM is currently maintaining a wait list, and we can almost guarantee that students who drop out will not be able to resume lessons any time soon. If you are traveling or vacationing out of town with your children this summer, you may be tempted to save the $120 or $160 you might pay for lessons by dropping out of MnSOM. Before you make that decision, consider this: Is saving $160 reason enough to change the course of your child’s education and, potentially, the course of their life? By helping your child continue musical training, you will be instilling not only perseverance, but the potential for building a lifelong love of music!
–Eric Nehring
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MOONLIT MOVIE MAGIC Hosting the Ultimate Outdoor Movie Night
expect at a movie theater — like an air mattress, pillows, and blankets!
If you are looking for a fun way to spruce up a traditional movie night, what better way than to bring it outside under the stars? Here are some necessities to make your moonlight movie night truly magical:
•
A portable projector screen, like a sheet on a clothesline
Whether it’s blocking pucks during a street hockey game or checkmating
These days, if you want to watch a movie, it seems like you are limited to three options: Watching it at the theater, on your TV, or on your phone or tablet. Now, I think we can
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Portable movie projector
Candy, popcorn, and beverages Some outdoor seating and cushions
chess hustlers at the park, traditionally indoor activities take on an entirely new feel and flavor when taken outside. While a rare sight these days, movie-goers worldwide used to enjoy cinema from the comfort of their cars at drive-in theaters. These made a brief resurgence during
Lamps, lanterns, or candles
Warm blankets
all agree that watching a movie outside on your
The perfect movie to bring it all together
phone does not make for a great cinematic experience. Debtrette, a TikTok influencer and mom, has a suggestion. She put a spin on an old classic — family movie night — by holding it in her backyard with all the conveniences you would
You can find screens and projectors to fit any budget, and your movie selection will depend on the crowd. Just make it fun: Lie back on the grass and watch “Antz” or lounge in the pool while watching “Jaws”! The key is to make the experience unforgettable, and all who share in it will be thankful for your effort to make it all possible.
the pandemic, but now that movies are rolling in theaters again, the fad has begun to die off.
MUSIC IN THE PARK RETURNS JOIN OUR 4TH ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION!
Minnesota School of Music is excited to announce our 4th Annual Music in the Park summer concert series. We are looking forward to marking this milestone with a student recital on July 21 at Aquatore Park’s exciting new community bandshell. As leading advocates for expanding music education in Blaine, we at MnSOM are delighted to hold our concert at this new venue. This $4 million facility was just completed in time for summer festivities, and we are excited to be among the first organizations to hold an event there. The bandshell is a high- quality performance space for showcasing the results of our students’ hard work and musical skill. We also will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of our founding. MnSOM has grown from modest beginnings in 2013, when Mr. Nehring began teaching guitar lessons to children and dreaming of something bigger. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved and of all our students have accomplished over the last 11 years. We look forward to gathering as a community. Join us at Music in the Park to celebrate our musicians and all their hard work. We’ll gather outdoors at the bandshell at Aquatore Park from 12–4 p.m. for activities, good company, and musical
performances by students and faculty.
We are planning fun for everyone, including prizes,
stickers, and frisbees for the kids. Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen, coolers, and a picnic lunch — and enjoy watching our students perform in Blaine’s brand new bandshell!
WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 12–4 p.m. WHERE: Aquatore Park, 9191 Lincoln St. NE, Blaine, MN 55434 WHO: All MnSOM students and parents Registration is required for this event and opens Monday, June 10, 2024. A $40 fee is required.
Find more details at Facebook.com/mnschoolofmusic . We can’t wait to see you there!
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Jose John M. Genoveva P. Samara P. Cayden L. Hank B. Lincoln S. Elliot D.
Taking a break from school-year routines can give students a welcome change of pace. However, families who are traveling or vacationing sometimes plan on simply dropping out of MnSOM — a risky option we hope you will avoid. Here are three smarter alternatives for holding open your child’s slot while making the most of your investment in their music education. 1. RESCHEDULE YOUR LESSONS. If you need to be away for a couple of weeks, we’ve got you covered! We allow students to reschedule up to four lessons a year. Simply log onto the MnSOM portal and cancel your lesson online. You’ll gain a lesson credit, which you can use any time within the next 30 days to reschedule your session. 2. REQUEST A LESSONMATE. To replace a missed lesson, you can also request a video lesson via LessonMate. With this option, teachers prepare a custom lesson tailored to your student and deliver it to the family via email. The student can continue to access that lesson anywhere, on any device, as many times as they like for as long as they are enrolled at MnSOM. It’s like having your own private YouTube channel with your teacher delivering the instruction you need. 3. SUBLEASE YOUR LESSON. A third option is to give the gift of music instruction to a family member or friend. Your child can gift the lesson slot they will miss to a sibling or other family member or friend, allowing them to take the lesson in their stead. In addition to serving as a lovely gift, this option keeps your child’s lesson slot open while potentially igniting an interest in music in someone you love. So, if you are planning to withdraw your child from MnSOM this summer, consider taking advantage of one or more of these options instead. As I explained in our cover story, don’t allow what happened to me happen to your child — by allowing what you intend to be a temporary break turn into nearly a decade of missed learning! Away for the Summer? Don’t Drop Out! DON’T MISS A BEAT
Mellony L. Sierra T.
IS YOUR TEACHER SOLD OUT?
Mr. Barrett: 2 SPOTS LEFT Mrs. Bunish: SOLD OUT Ms. Ferbuyt: SOLD OUT Ms. Hsu: SOLD OUT Mrs. Lehner: SOLD OUT Mr. Martin: SOLD OUT
Mrs. Morris: SOLD OUT Mr. Nehring: SOLD OUT Mr. Nelson: SOLD OUT Mrs. Nemirova:
Ms. Rotvold: SOLD OUT Mr. Smith:
1 SPOT LEFT Mr. Spears: SOLD OUT Mrs. Tomlinson:
SOLD OUT Mr. Nistler: SOLD OUT Ms. Possert: SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT Mr. Tubbs: SOLD OUT
–Eric Nehring
763-432-9713 • 3
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3533 88th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55014 763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Risks of Taking a Summer Break From Music Lessons
Host a Movie Night Under the Stars
Join Us for Music in the Park!
Flexible Summer Lesson-Planning for Families
Perfect Spots for a Laid-Back Holiday
OFF THE RADAR HIDDEN GEM VACATION DESTINATIONS
Are you tired of visiting hyped-up vacation destinations or getting lost in a big city or crowded national park? If so, consider a holiday at a less congested, more laid-back locale. These hidden gems offer beautiful views and exciting excursions — all without the headaches that come with vacationing to big-name destinations! PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK Make an excursion to Pinnacles in California to enjoy the splendor of nature without having to share space with millions
of tourists. With over 30 miles of hiking trails crisscrossing rocky hills and river-strewn caverns, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for memorable adventure. Despite its wondrous views, Pinnacles was named the 15th least-visited national park in 2023, with just over 340,000 annual visitors. CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK Make your way to Oregon and dive into the deepest lake in the country! Crater Lake National Park’s namesake was formed when a volcanic eruption triggered a mountain to come apart in spectacular fashion. You can stay at plenty of campsites and find excellent fishing in the lake’s pristine and seemingly bottomless water. If you are a fan of hiking, fishing, or breathtaking views, then Crater Lake is for you. CRATER OF DIAMONDS STATE PARK If you have ever felt envious of the prospectors who made their riches during the California Gold Rush, then pay a visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, where you can discover your own hidden gems! You can discover rare rocks and minerals in a massive field birthed by volcanic activity, including diamonds, amethysts, garnets, and quartz. The best part? Anything you find, you can keep! Seekers have found more than 35,000 diamonds at the park since it opened in 1972, and with some luck, you could add a few more to that tally!
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